Caustic Soda (NaOH) is sodium hydroxide, which has a molar mass of 40.0 g/mol. It is a strong alkali and must be handled with extreme care. Its rapid dissolution in water results in liberation of large amounts of heat.

Application/Function

Primarily used to control alkalinity and pH in aqueous fluids (limits the solubility of calcium and magnesium) by precipitating the metal hydroxides, Ca (OH)2 and Mg(OH)2

Aids the solubilization of products such as lignosulfonates and lignites and activates Bentonite dispersion.

Add Caustic Soda in the range of 0.25-0.5 lbs/bbl (0.71-1.43 kg/m³) to water based systems.

For safety reasons, caustic soda must never be mixed through the mud hopper; it must be added via a chemical barrel or to a low-volume premix in a slug pit by direct addition through the grating. The premix is then transferred slowly to the active system over the course of one or several circulations.